Student Organization: Healthcare in our Community

How has telehealth improved access to mental health services for patients living in rural communities in the United States?

This research question is important because many people living in rural communities face significant barriers to accessing mental health care. There is often a shortage of mental health professionals in rural areas, and patients may have to travel long distances for counseling or psychiatric services. Telehealth has helped reduce these barriers by allowing patients to meet with licensed therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists remotely.

This topic is especially important today because telehealth use expanded rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be an important part of healthcare. Mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and stress have also increased in recent years, making access to treatment more important than ever.

This topic is also personally meaningful to me. I live with lupus and other health challenges, and I use telehealth for therapy. It has made a positive difference in my life by allowing me to receive mental health support without the added stress of traveling to appointments. Therapy has helped me manage the emotional impact of living with chronic illness, cope with everyday challenges, and set healthy goals for myself. Many people do not fully understand what someone with chronic health conditions is going through. Everyone deserves a safe place to talk, receive support, and learn healthy ways to manage life’s challenges.

Peer-Reviewed Sources

Hilty, D. M., Ferrer, D. C., Parish, M. B., Johnston, B., Callahan, E. J., & Yellowlees, P. M. (2013). The effectiveness of telemental health: A 2013 review. Telemedicine and e-Health, 19(6), 444–454. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2013.0075

Shore, J. H., Schneck, C. D., & Mishkind, M. C. (2020). Telepsychiatry and the COVID-19 pandemic: Future directions. Current Psychiatry Reports, 22(9), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-020-01191-6

Additional Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Telehealth and telemedicine. https://www.cdc.gov/telehealth

Health Resources and Services Administration. (2024). Telehealth programs. https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/telehealth